<PAGE> 1
FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 424(b)(3)
REGISTRATION NO. 333-77053-01
REGISTRATION NO. 333-45607
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS NOT
COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. THIS PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS NOT
AN OFFER TO SELL NOR DOES IT SEEK AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY
JURISDICTION WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT (SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, ISSUED FEBRUARY 10, 2000)
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED APRIL 30, 1999)
$1,500,000,000
BELLSOUTH CAPITAL FUNDING CORPORATION
$ TEN YEAR % NOTES DUE 2010
$ THIRTY YEAR % DEBENTURES DUE 2030
ISSUED UNDER A SUPPORT AGREEMENT WITH
BELLSOUTH CORPORATION
---------------------------
INTEREST PAYABLE ON FEBRUARY 15 AND AUGUST 15
---------------------------
The notes will mature on February 15, 2010, and the debentures will mature on
February 15, 2030. The notes and the debentures are redeemable in whole or in
part at any time as described in "Description of the Notes and the Debentures"
on page S-3 of this prospectus supplement.
---------------------------
PRICE OF THE NOTES: % AND ACCRUED INTEREST, IF ANY
PRICE OF THE DEBENTURES: % AND ACCRUED INTEREST, IF ANY
---------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
UNDERWRITING
PRICE TO DISCOUNTS AND PROCEEDS TO
PUBLIC COMMISSIONS COMPANY
-------- ------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Per Note.................................................... % % %
Total..................................................... $ $ $
Per Debenture............................................... % % %
Total..................................................... $ $ $
</TABLE>
---------------------------
The Securities and Exchange Commission and state securities regulators have not
approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus
supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The underwriters are offering the notes and the debentures subject to various
conditions. The underwriters expect to deliver the notes and the debentures, in
book-entry form only, to purchasers through The Depository Trust Company on
February , 2000.
---------------------------
Joint Book-Running Managers
LEHMAN BROTHERS MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
---------------------------
ABN AMRO INCORPORATED
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
---------------------------
WACHOVIA SECURITIES, INC. THE WILLIAMS CAPITAL GROUP, L.P.
February , 2000
<PAGE> 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Proceeds of the Offering......... S-2
Recent Developments.............. S-2
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
Charges....................... S-3
Description of the Notes and the
Debentures.................... S-3
Underwriters..................... S-6
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
PROSPECTUS
About This Prospectus............ 2
Where You Can Find More
Information................... 2
BellSouth Corporation............ 3
BellSouth Capital Funding
Corporation................... 3
Support Agreement................ 3
Use of Proceeds.................. 4
Description of Securities........ 4
Plan of Distribution............. 7
Legal Opinions................... 8
Independent Accountants.......... 8
</TABLE>
You should rely only on the information contained in, or incorporated by
reference into, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus but
should not assume the information is accurate after the date of this prospectus
supplement, even if it is delivered in connection with the sale of notes and the
debentures. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information
different from that contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus. We are offering to sell the notes and the debentures and seeking
offers to buy the notes and the debentures only in jurisdictions where offers
and sales are permitted.
In this prospectus supplement, "we" and "our" refer to BellSouth Capital
Funding Corporation, and "BellSouth" refers to BellSouth Corporation, our parent
company.
PROCEEDS OF THE OFFERING
We intend to apply the net proceeds (approximately $ billion after
deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and expenses) to refinance a
portion of the approximately $2 billion remaining from the commercial paper that
we issued for the interim financing of BellSouth's $3.5 billion investment in
Qwest Communications International Inc. The weighted average interest cost of
our commercial paper is 5.89%.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
For 1999, BellSouth reported operating revenues of $25.2 billion, operating
income of $6.4 billion and net income of $3.4 billion. Its debt ratio at
December 31, 1999 was 53.1%. For 1998, BellSouth reported operating revenues of
$23.1 billion, operating income of $5.9 billion and net income of $3.5 billion.
Its debt ratio at December 31, 1998 was 43.0%
In 1993, BellSouth was one of the founding shareholders of E-Plus Mobilfunk
GmbH, a German cellular carrier. In January 2000, it announced an agreement
under which it exercised rights of first refusal to purchase the 77.5% in E-Plus
that it did not then own, using funds loaned to it by KPN Royal Dutch Telecom.
Under this agreement BellSouth will contribute its 100% interest in E-Plus to
KPN's wireless subsidiary in exchange for cancellation of its loan from KPN, and
it received options to exchange its interest in E-Plus for equity in KPN or
their wireless subsidiary. BellSouth also agreed to make available to KPN up to
$3 billion in debt financing over the next several years to facilitate their
wireless business expansion.
On February 10, 2000, Moody's Investor Services, Inc. announced that it
reduced the rating on our long-term debt securities from Aa1 to Aa3.
S-2
<PAGE> 3
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
BellSouth's ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the years
1995-99 have been 4.24, 6.55, 7.17, 7.09 and 5.98. For the purpose of this
ratio: (i) earnings have been calculated by adding income before income taxes,
gross interest expense and such portion of rental expense representative of the
interest factor on such rentals; (ii) fixed charges are comprised of gross
interest expense and such portion of rental expense representative of the
interest factor on such rentals.
DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES AND THE DEBENTURES
GENERAL
We will issue the notes and the debentures under an indenture dated as of
August 1, 1992 with The Bank of New York, as successor to Wachovia Bank of
Georgia, N.A., as trustee. The section "Description of Securities" in the
accompanying prospectus contains a description of terms of the indenture
generally applicable to securities issued under it. The following supplements
that description by describing terms specifically applicable to the notes and
the debentures. We have filed a copy of the indenture as an exhibit to the
registration statements of which the accompanying prospectus forms a part.
The notes will mature on February 15, 2010, and the debentures will mature
on February 15, 2030. Interest on the notes will accrue at an annual rate of
%, and on the debentures at an annual rate of %, from February 15,
2000. We will pay interest on February 15 and August 15, beginning August 15,
2000. We will make payments to the holders of record on the record dates, which
are February 1 and August 1, respectively. If an interest payment date or
maturity date is not a business day, we will pay interest or principal on the
next business day. However, interest on the payments will not accrue for the
period from the original payment date to the date we make the payments. We will
calculate the interest based on a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
The notes and the debentures may be redeemed in whole at any time or in
part from time to time, at our option, at a redemption price equal to the
greater of
- 100% of the principal amount of the notes or the debentures to be
redeemed, or
- the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of
principal and interest on the notes or the debentures to be redeemed,
discounted to the date of redemption on a semi-annual basis (assuming a
360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the applicable
Treasury Rate plus basis points for the notes and basis points for
the debentures,
plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being
redeemed to the redemption date.
"Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the yield,
under the heading which represents the average for the immediately preceding
week, appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated
"H.15(519)" or any successor publication which is published weekly by the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and which establishes yields on
actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity
under the caption "Treasury Constant Maturities," for the maturity corresponding
to the Comparable Treasury Issue (or, if no maturity is within three months
before or after the Remaining Life, yields for the two published maturities most
closely corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue will be determined and
the Treasury Rate will be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a
straight line basis, rounding to the nearest month) or (2) if such release (or
any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the
calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to
the semi-annual equivalent yield-to-maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue,
calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a
percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price of
such
S-3
<PAGE> 4
redemption date. The Treasury Rate will be calculated on the third Business Day
preceding the redemption date.
"Business Day" means any calendar day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or
legal holiday in New York, New York and on which commercial banks are open for
business in New York, New York.
"Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security
selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to
the remaining term ("Remaining Life") of the notes or debentures to be redeemed
that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with
customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities
of comparable maturity to the Remaining Life of such notes or debentures.
"Independent Investment Banker" means either Lehman Brothers Inc. or Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated, and their respective successors, or, if both firms
are unwilling or unable to select the Comparable Treasury Issue, a nationally
recognized investment banking institution which is a Primary Treasury Dealer
appointed by us.
"Comparable Treasury Price" means (1) the average of five Reference
Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest
and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if, after seeking at
least five Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations and excluding the highest and
lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the Independent Investment Banker
obtains fewer than five such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average
of all such quotations.
"Reference Treasury Dealer" means (1) Lehman Brothers Inc. and Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated, and their respective successors, provided, however,
that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a primary U.S. government
securities dealer in New York City (a "Primary Treasury Dealer"), we will
substitute for such dealer another Primary Treasury Dealer and (2) any other
nationally recognized Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Independent
Investment Banker and acceptable to us.
"The Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations" means, with respect to each
Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by
the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and asked prices for the
Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its
principal amount) quoted in writing to the Independent Investment Banker at 5:00
p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such redemption
date.
On or after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the notes
or debentures or any portion thereof called for redemption (unless we default in
the payment of the redemption price and accrued interest). On or before any
redemption date, we will deposit with a paying agent (or the trustee) money
sufficient to pay the redemption price and accrued interest on the notes or
debentures to be redeemed on such date. Holders of notes or debentures to be
redeemed will receive notice thereof by first-class mail at least 30 and not
more than 60 days before the date fixed for redemption. If fewer than all of the
notes or debentures are to be redeemed, the trustee will select the particular
notes or debentures or portions thereof for redemption from the outstanding
notes or debentures not previously called, pro rata or by lot or in such other
manner as we shall direct.
BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM
We will issue the notes and the debentures in registered book-entry only
form. They will be represented by one or more permanent global certificates
registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York
("DTC") or its nominee. Except as we describe below, a global security is not
transferable, except that DTC, its nominees and their successors may transfer an
entire global security to one another.
DTC will keep a computerized record of its participants (for example, your
broker) whose clients have purchased the notes and the debentures. The
participant would then keep a record of its clients who purchased the notes and
the debentures.
S-4
<PAGE> 5
Under book-entry only, we will not issue certificates to you or any other
individual holders. Your beneficial interest in a global note or debenture will
be shown on, and transfers of your beneficial interest will be made only
through, records maintained by DTC and its participants. The laws of some states
require that certain purchasers take physical delivery of the notes and the
debentures in definitive form. Such limits and such laws may impair the ability
to transfer beneficial interests in the global notes and debentures.
DTC
DTC has provided us with the following information. DTC is:
- a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law;
- a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking Law;
- a member of the United States Federal Reserve System;
- a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform
Commercial Code; and
- a "clearing agency" registered under Section 17A of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also
facilitates the settlement among participants of securities transactions, such
as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through computerized records
for participants' accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of
certificates. Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust
companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations.
DTC's book-entry system is also used by other organizations such as
securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that act through a
participant. The rules that apply to DTC and its participants are on file with
the SEC.
DTC is owned by a number of its participants and by the New York Stock
Exchange, Inc., The American Stock Exchange, Inc. and the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc.
According to DTC, the foregoing information with respect to DTC has been
provided to the financial community for informational purposes only and is not
intended to serve as a representation, warranty or contract modification of any
kind.
Transfers
Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected in accordance with
DTC's procedures, and will be settled in same-day funds.
Payments
We will wire principal and interest payments on book-entry notes and
debentures to DTC's nominee. We and the Trustee will treat DTC's nominee as the
owner of the global notes and debentures for all purposes. Accordingly, neither
we, BellSouth nor the Trustee will have any direct responsibility or liability
to pay amounts due on the notes or debentures, or to furnish any information, to
owners of beneficial interests in the global notes or debentures.
It is DTC's current practice, upon receipt of any payment of principal or
interest, to credit participants' accounts on the payment date according to
their respective holdings of beneficial interests in global securities as shown
on DTC's records as of the record date for such payment. In addition, it is
DTC's current practice to assign any consenting or voting rights to
participants, whose accounts are credited with securities on a record date, by
using an omnibus proxy. Payments by participants to owners of beneficial
interests in global securities, and voting by participants, will be governed by
the customary practices between the participants and owners of beneficial
interest, as is the case with securities held for
S-5
<PAGE> 6
the account of customers registered in "street name." However, these payments,
and your holdings, will be the responsibility of the participants and not of
DTC, the Trustee, BellSouth or us.
Exchanges
Notes and debentures represented by a global security would be exchangeable
for notes and debentures represented by certificates with the same terms in
authorized denominations only if:
- DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depository
or if DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under applicable law
and we do not appoint a successor depository within 90 days; or
- we instruct the Trustee that the global note or debenture is
exchangeable; or
- an event of default has occurred and is continuing.
If, after the occurrence of one of the foregoing events, you hold a note or
a debenture in fully certificated form, we will pay the interest and principal
on your note or debenture to you by check.
FURTHER ISSUES
We may from time to time, without notice to or the consent of the
registered holders of the notes or debentures, create and issue further notes or
debentures ranking equally and ratably with the notes or debentures in all
respects (or in all respects except for the payment of interest accruing prior
to the issue date of such further notes or debentures or except for the first
payment of interest following the issue date of such further notes or
debentures) and so that such further notes or debentures shall be consolidated
and form a single series with the notes or debentures offered hereby and shall
have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the notes or
debentures offered hereby.
UNDERWRITERS
Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an underwriting
agreement dated the date of this prospectus supplement, the underwriters named
below, for whom Lehman Brothers Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated are
acting as joint book-running managers and representatives, have severally agreed
to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to them, the following principal amounts
of notes and debentures:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL
NAME AMOUNT OF NOTES AMOUNT OF DEBENTURES
---- --------------- --------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Lehman Brothers Inc. .............................. $ $
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated..................
ABN Amro Incorporated..............................
Banc of America Securities LLC.....................
Goldman, Sachs & Co. ..............................
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated.....................................
Wachovia Securities, Inc. .........................
The Williams Capital Group, L.P. ..................
------------ --------------
Total....................................
============ ==============
</TABLE>
The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the
underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the notes and debentures is
subject to the approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and to certain
other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to take and pay for all the
notes and debentures, if any are taken.
The underwriters initially propose to offer part of the notes and
debentures directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the
cover page hereof and part to certain dealers at a price that represents a
concession not in excess of % of the principal amount of the notes and %
of the
S-6
<PAGE> 7
principal amount of the debentures. The underwriters may allow, and such dealers
may reallow, a concession not in excess of % of the principal amount of the
notes and % of the principal amount of the debentures to certain other
dealers. After the notes and debentures are released to the public, the offering
price and other selling terms may from time to time be varied by the
underwriters named on the cover page of this prospectus supplement.
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.
The notes and debentures are a new issue of securities with no established
trading market. In addition, we do not intend to apply for the notes or
debentures to be listed on any securities exchange or to arrange for the notes
or debentures to be quoted on any quotation system. The underwriters have
advised us that they intend to make a market in the notes and debentures.
However, they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue the market making
at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the
trading market for the notes or debentures.
In order to facilitate the offering of the notes and debentures, the
underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise
affect the price of the notes and debentures. Specifically, the underwriters may
over-allot in connection with the offering, creating a short position in the
notes and debentures for their own accounts. In addition, to cover
over-allotments or to stabilize the price of the notes and debentures, the
underwriters may bid for, and purchase, the notes and debentures in the open
market. Finally, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions
allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the notes and debentures
in the offering if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed notes or
debentures in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization
transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the
market price of the notes and debentures above independent market levels. The
underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of
these activities at any time.
From time to time, certain of the underwriters have acted as financial
advisors to us and BellSouth and have received customary compensation for such
services.
We estimate the total expenses of the offering, excluding underwriting
discounts and commissions, will be approximately $430,000.
S-7
<PAGE> 8
$3,183,000,000
BELLSOUTH CAPITAL FUNDING CORPORATION
DEBT SECURITIES
ISSUED UNDER A SUPPORT AGREEMENT
WITH
BELLSOUTH CORPORATION
BellSouth Capital Funding Corporation ("we") may periodically offer these
securities. The supplements to this prospectus will describe the specific terms
of these securities. You should read this prospectus and any supplements
carefully before you invest.
All of the securities will be covered by a Support Agreement between us and
BellSouth Corporation ("BellSouth"), our parent company and sole shareholder. In
the Support Agreement, BellSouth has agreed to ensure payment of the securities.
(See "Support Agreement" on page 3.)
------------------------------
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS
PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
------------------------------
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS APRIL 30, 1999.
<PAGE> 9
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
YOU MAY RELY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS BUT SHOULD NOT
ASSUME THE INFORMATION IS ACCURATE AFTER THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS, EVEN IF IT
IS DELIVERED SUBSEQUENTLY FOR ANY PURPOSE. NEITHER WE NOR ANY UNDERWRITER HAS
AUTHORIZED ANYONE ELSE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION DIFFERENT FROM THAT
CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL AND IT IS
NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR
SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the
SEC utilizing a "shelf" registration process. Under this shelf process, we may,
from time to time, sell the securities described in this prospectus in one or
more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $3,183,000,000.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the debt
securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a
prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of
that offering. A prospectus supplement may also add, update or change
information contained in this prospectus.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
About This Prospectus....................................... 2
Where You Can Find More Information......................... 2
BellSouth Corporation....................................... 3
BellSouth Capital Funding Corporation....................... 3
Support Agreement........................................... 3
Use of Proceeds............................................. 4
Description of Securities................................... 4
Plan of Distribution........................................ 7
Legal Opinions.............................................. 8
Independent Accountants..................................... 8
</TABLE>
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are not subject to the informational filing requirements of the SEC, and
we have not and will not file any documents under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. However, BellSouth is subject to the informational requirements of the
Exchange Act and files reports and other information with the SEC. You may read
and copy these reports at the public reference facilities of the SEC at 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the
operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC at (800) 732-0330. In
addition, the SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports and other
information regarding BellSouth (http://www.sec.gov).
We have registered these securities with the SEC (Nos. 333-45607 and
333-77053) under the Securities Act of 1933. This prospectus does not contain
all of the information set forth in the registration statements. You may obtain
copies of the registration statements, including exhibits, as discussed in the
first paragraph.
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" into this prospectus
required information on file with it, which means that we can disclose important
information to you by referring you to those documents. The information
incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and later
information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede
that information. The following documents have been filed by BellSouth with the
SEC (File No. 1-8607) and are incorporated by reference into this prospectus:
(1) BellSouth's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1998.
(2) BellSouth's Current Reports on Form 8-K for January 20, January
25, March 30 and April 20, 1999.
2
<PAGE> 10
All documents that BellSouth files under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d)
of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and prior to the
termination of the offering of any series of securities shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this prospectus and to be a part of it from the
date of filing of such documents.
YOU MAY OBTAIN COPIES OF THE ABOVE DOCUMENTS UPON REQUEST WITHOUT CHARGE
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CONTROLLER OF BELLSOUTH, 1155 PEACHTREE STREET, N.E.,
15G03, ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30309-3610 (TELEPHONE NUMBER 404-249-4238).
BELLSOUTH CORPORATION
BellSouth was incorporated in 1983 under the laws of the State of Georgia
and has its principal executive offices at 1155 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta,
Georgia 30309-3610 (telephone number 404-249-2000).
BellSouth is a holding company, whose principal subsidiary, BellSouth
Telecommunications, Inc. ("BST"), provides predominantly tariffed wireline
telecommunications services to substantial portions of the population of
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina,
South Carolina and Tennessee. BellSouth's other businesses (primarily domestic
and international wireless services and advertising and publishing products) are
conducted through separate subsidiaries.
BELLSOUTH CAPITAL FUNDING CORPORATION
We were incorporated in 1987 under the laws of the State of Georgia and
have our principal executive offices at 1155 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta,
Georgia 30309-3610 (telephone number 404-249-2000).
Our sole corporate purpose is obtaining financing to provide funds for
BellSouth's diversification and investments and for general working capital for
BellSouth, its subsidiaries and joint ventures. We do not provide financing to
BST, other than its subsidiaries whose operations are not regulated by tariff.
We raise funds through the sale of debt securities in the United States,
European and other overseas markets. We do not engage in any separate business
operations.
On October 14, 1987, the SEC issued an order exempting us from the
provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, provided that (1) we comply
with the provisions of Rule 3a-5 under the Act and (2) the securities remain
covered by the Support Agreement.
SUPPORT AGREEMENT
Under the Support Agreement, BellSouth has agreed to cause us to maintain a
positive tangible net worth, as determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. The Support Agreement also provides that we must remain a
wholly-owned subsidiary of BellSouth.
BellSouth will provide us sufficient funds to pay the securities. If we
default on the securities, the holders or a trustee acting on their behalf can
sue BellSouth directly. However no holder of securities or trustee acting on
their behalf would have recourse against the stock or assets of BST. Dividends
paid to BellSouth by BST, which in 1998 aggregated approximately $2.3 billion,
are not subject to this limitation. BellSouth's non-BST net book assets, which
would also be available to holders of securities under the Support Agreement,
aggregated approximately $7.3 billion at December 31, 1998.
BellSouth cannot amend or terminate the Support Agreement to adversely
affect the rights of holders of securities without the written consent of all
holders.
3
<PAGE> 11
USE OF PROCEEDS
Our general plans for the proceeds from the sale of the securities are
described under "BellSouth Capital Funding Corporation" above. Prospectus
supplements will describe specific applications.
We will loan to or invest in BellSouth or its qualifying subsidiaries the
proceeds from the offerings as soon as practicable, but in no event later than
six months after receipt. In the interim, we will invest the proceeds only in
U.S. government securities or commercial paper permitted by Rule 3a-5(a)(6) of
the SEC under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions
of the securities and the indenture. You may obtain a copy of the indenture as
described in "Where You Can Find More Information" on page 2. Particular
sections of the indenture are cited parenthetically.
GENERAL
The securities will be issued under an indenture dated as of August 1, 1992
among us, BellSouth and The Bank of New York, as successor to Wachovia Bank of
Georgia, N.A. (the "Trustee"). BellSouth and certain of its affiliates maintain
banking relationships in the ordinary course of business with the Trustee and
certain of its affiliates.
The indenture does not limit the amount of securities that may be issued,
and securities may be issued as authorized from time to time by our Board of
Directors, by a Company order signed by two of our officers or by a supplemental
indenture. The securities will be unsecured general obligations and will rank
equally with our other outstanding debt.
GLOBAL SECURITIES
Form and Exchange
We will normally issue the securities in book-entry only form, which means
that they will be represented by one or more permanent global certificates
registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York
("DTC"), or its nominee. We will refer to this form here and in the prospectus
supplement as "book-entry only."
Alternatively, we may issue the securities in certificated form registered
in the name of the holder. Under these circumstances, holders may receive
certificates representing the securities. Securities in certificated form will
be issued only in increments of $1,000 and multiples of $1,000 and will be
exchangeable without charge except for reimbursement of taxes or other
governmental charges, if any. We will refer to this form as "certificated."
If we issue original issue discount ("OID") securities, we will describe
the special United States federal income tax and other considerations of a
purchase of such securities in the prospectus supplement. OID securities are
issued at a substantial discount below their principal amount because they pay
no interest or pay interest that is below market rates at the time of issuance.
Book-Entry Only Procedures
The following discussion pertains to securities that are issued in
book-entry only form.
We would issue one or more global securities to DTC or its nominee. DTC
would keep a computerized record of its participants (for example, your broker)
whose clients have purchased the securities. The participant would then keep a
record of its clients who purchased the securities. A global security is not
transferable, except that DTC, its nominees and their successors may transfer an
entire global security to one another.
4
<PAGE> 12
Under book-entry only, we would not issue certificates to individual
holders of the securities. Beneficial interests in global securities will be
shown on, and transfers of global securities will be made only through, records
maintained by DTC and its participants.
DTC has provided us with the following information. DTC is:
- a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law;
- a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking Law;
- a member of the United States Federal Reserve System;
- a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform
Commercial Code; and
- a "clearing agency" registered under Section 17A of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also
facilitates the settlement among participants of securities transactions, such
as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through computerized records
for participants' accounts. This eliminates the need to exchange certificates.
Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies,
clearing corporations and certain other organizations.
DTC's book-entry system is also used by other organizations such as
securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that work through a
participant. The rules that apply to DTC and its participants are on file with
the SEC.
DTC is owned by a number of its participants and by the New York Stock
Exchange, Inc., The American Stock Exchange, Inc. and the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc.
We will wire principal and interest payments to DTC's nominee. We and the
Trustee will treat DTC's nominee as the owner of the global securities for all
purposes. Accordingly, neither we, BellSouth nor the Trustee will have any
direct responsibility or liability to pay amounts due on the securities, or to
furnish any information, to owners of beneficial interests in the global
securities.
It is DTC's current practice, upon receipt of any payment of principal or
interest, to credit participants' accounts on the payment date according to
their respective holdings of beneficial interests in the global securities as
shown on DTC's records as of the record date for such payment. In addition, it
is DTC's current practice to assign any consenting or voting rights to
participants, whose accounts are credited with securities on a record date, by
using an omnibus proxy. Payments by participants to owners of beneficial
interests in the global securities, and voting by participants, will be governed
by the customary practices between the participants and owners of beneficial
interest, as is the case with securities held for the account of customers
registered in "street name." However, these payments will be the responsibility
of the participants and not of DTC, the Trustee, BellSouth or us.
Securities represented by a global security would be exchangeable for
securities represented by certificates with the same terms in authorized
denominations only if:
- DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depository
or if DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under applicable law
and we do not appoint a successor depository within 90 days; or
- we instruct the Trustee that the global security is exchangeable; or
- an event of default has occurred and is continuing.
LIEN ON ASSETS
Neither the indenture nor the Support Agreement restricts BellSouth or us
from encumbering any of our respective assets. However, if we encumber any of
our assets, we will likewise secure outstanding securities, and any other of our
obligations, which may be entitled to the benefit of a similar covenant.
5
<PAGE> 13
This covenant does not apply to purchase-money liens, to deposits or pledges
under workers' compensation, unemployment insurance or other laws or to secure
judicial or other statutory obligations. (Section 4.02)
SUCCESSOR ENTITIES
Neither we nor BellSouth may consolidate with or merge into, or transfer or
lease our respective property and assets substantially as an entirety to,
another entity unless the successor entity is a United States corporation and,
in our case, it assumes all our obligations under the securities and the
indenture and, in the case of BellSouth, it assumes all the obligations of
BellSouth under the indenture and the Support Agreement. In that event, except
in the case of a lease, all such obligations of us or BellSouth, as the case may
be, shall terminate. (Sections 5.01 and 5.02)
BellSouth or a subsidiary may obligate itself to pay the principal of and
interest on all securities and to perform our indenture covenants. In that
event, BellSouth or the subsidiary would have the same rights and obligations as
we would under the indenture, and we would be released from the indenture.
(Section 5.03)
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
The following would be events of default under the indenture regarding a
series of securities:
- default in the payment of interest on any security of such series for 90
days;
- default in the payment of the principal of any security of such series;
- failure by us or BellSouth for 90 days after notice to comply with any of
our other indenture or Support Agreement agreements regarding the
securities of such series (other than covenants relating only to other
series) and
- certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency relating to us.
A payment default regarding one series would not create a cross-default
with regard to any other series of indenture securities. (Section 6.01) If an
event of default occurs and is continuing regarding the securities of any
series, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of all of
the outstanding securities of that series may declare the principal (or, if the
securities of that series are OID securities, such portion of the principal
amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of, and any accrued
interest on, all the securities of that series to be due and payable. Securities
of all other series would be unaffected. Upon declaration, such principal (or,
in the case of OID securities, such specified amount) and interest would become
due and payable immediately. (Section 6.02)
Securityholders may not enforce the indenture, the securities or the
Support Agreement, except as provided in the indenture and the Support
Agreement. (Section 6.06) The Trustee may require indemnity before it enforces
the indenture, the securities or the Support Agreement. (Section 7.01(e))
Subject to certain limitations, holders of a majority in principal amount of the
securities of each series affected may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any
trust power regarding securities of that series. (Section 6.05) The Trustee may
withhold from securityholders notice of any continuing default (except a default
in payment on the securities of the series) if it determines that withholding
notice is in their interests. (Section 7.05)
AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
Subject to certain exceptions, the indenture and the securities may be
amended or supplemented by agreement of us, BellSouth and the Trustee with the
consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
securities of each affected series. Also, we may be excused from complying with
an obligation with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount
of outstanding securities of each affected series. However, without the consent
of each securityholder affected, an amendment or waiver may not
- reduce the amount of securities whose holders must consent to an
amendment or waiver;
6
<PAGE> 14
- reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any
security;
- reduce the principal of, or change the fixed maturity of, any security;
- waive a default in the payment of principal of or interest on any
security;
- make any security payable in money other than that stated in the
security;
- impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on
or with respect to any securities; or
- amend or terminate the Support Agreement to the detriment of the
securityholders. (Section 9.02)
We, BellSouth and the Trustee may agree to amend or supplement the
indenture without the consent of any securityholder
- to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture or in the
securities of any series;
- to secure the securities under the circumstances described under "Lien on
Assets" on page 5;
- to provide for the assumption of all the obligations of us or BellSouth,
as the case may be, under the securities and the indenture in connection
with a merger, consolidation or transfer or lease of our or BellSouth's
property and assets substantially as an entirety as provided for in the
indenture;
- to provide for the assumption by BellSouth or a subsidiary of all our
obligations under the securities and the indenture;
- to provide for the issuance of, and establish the form, terms and
conditions of, a series of securities or to establish the form of any
certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of the
indenture or any series of securities;
- to provide for uncertificated securities in addition to or in place of
certificated securities;
- to add to rights of securityholders or surrender any right or power
conferred on us; or
- to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any
securityholder. (Section 9.01)
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the securities directly to purchasers, through agents, through
dealers, through underwriters or through a combination of those methods.
The securities may be distributed from time to time in one or more
transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at market prices
prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market
prices or at negotiated prices.
In connection with the sale of securities, underwriters or agents may
receive discounts, concessions or commissions from us or from purchasers for
whom they may act as agents. Underwriters may sell securities to or through
dealers, and such dealers may receive discounts, concessions or commissions from
the underwriters or from purchasers for whom they may act as agents.
Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of
securities may all have the status of underwriters under the Securities Act of
1933. The prospectus supplement will identify any underwriter or agent and
describe any compensation paid by us.
We may agree to indemnify underwriters and other persons against certain
civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.
7
<PAGE> 15
LEGAL OPINIONS
Mark D. Hallenbeck, Associate General Counsel of BellSouth and our General
Counsel, is rendering an opinion regarding the legality of the securities. Mr.
Hallenbeck may be deemed to beneficially own 22,760 shares of BellSouth Common
Stock, including interests through various BellSouth employee benefit plans.
On behalf of dealers, underwriters or agents, Davis Polk & Wardwell is
rendering an opinion regarding certain legal matters in connection with the
offering of the securities.
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, has audited the
consolidated financial statements included in BellSouth's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998. That 10-K is incorporated by
reference in this prospectus, to the extent and for the periods indicated in
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP's report relating to such consolidated financial
statements, which is also incorporated by reference. We have included
BellSouth's consolidated financial statements in reliance upon the report of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP given upon their authority as experts in auditing and
accounting.
8
